Ratings: Mumbai City toothless in attack in defeat to Al Jazira

Ali Mabkhout scored the only goal of the match from the penalty spot.

Mumbai City FC fell to a 0-1 loss against Al Jazira in their third group game in the 2022 AFC Champions League on Thursday. A solitary goal for the UAE side, which came from a penalty converted by Ali Mabkhout in the 40th minute, was enough to seal their first win in the group stages.

The defeat was the Islanders' second loss in the group after three games. Here are the player ratings for the match.

Mohammad Nawaz – 7.5

Nawaz started the game in slightly shaky fashion, but grew into it really well. Pulled off some fantastic saves, denying Al Jazira’s attempts from close range multiple times.

He ended the game with four saves that denied a potential embarrassment for Mumbai City and was extremely close to saving the penalty, diving correctly but seeing it just go past him.

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Amey Ranawade – N/A

He suffered an injury early on after his ankle seemingly rolled, forcing an early substitution.

Rahul Bheke – 5.5

Mumbai’s hero from the last game played in two positions against Al Jazira, the majority from the right-back area. He didn’t look so comfortable with the positional change, losing quite a few key duels in the game. Made some promising forward runs and hit the bar with an attempted cross/shot late on.

Mourtada Fall – 6.0

The Mumbai City captain was, predictably, Mumbai’s most reliable defender against an intimidating opposition. Fall used his physicality and game-reading ability to restrict Ali Mabkhout, preventing him from threatening in open play.

He made two interceptions and won as many duels and moved the ball around well, but missed a golden chance to equalize by failing to connect a shot from yards out into an open net in the dying minutes.  

Vignesh Dakshinamurthy – 6.0

Vignesh did not have it easy against the rapid pace of Al Jazira winger Abdoulay Diaby. The left-back was ousted on a few opportunities, but worked hard to nullify the opposition’s threat on his side. Lacked the attacking threat that Mandar brings. Made way for him late in the match.

Lalengmawia – 7.0

Lalengmawia was a livewire in Mumbai City’s midfield and was not afraid of stifling the opposition players with some rash challenges.

Apuia put in commendable defensive work, making three interceptions and three tackles (most for any Mumbai player) to help regain possession. Moved the ball around nicely and held his own against Al Jazira’s experienced players.

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Ahmed Jahouh – 6.5

Jahouh was tasked to shield Mumbai’s backline for the majority and did so well, often neutralizing Al Jazira’s moves. Made some clutch challenges to win back possession and progressed the ball forward from deep really nicely. He sent in some inviting set-pieces, but unfortunately none of them resulted in a goal.

Lallianzuala Chhangte – 7.0

Chhangte was Mumbai’s most dangerous attacking outlet and tormented the Al Jazira defenders with his unpredictability. He made some slick runs into the final third and always looked proactive.

He created three big scoring chances, including some with inch-perfect crosses – but unlucky not to get rewarded with an assist for his heroics.

Brad Inman – 5.0

The Australian midfielder got his first start of the competition in his preferred playmaker’s role. But, Inman failed to create anything prominent, not being able to time his final third passes perfectly.

He managed a disappointing 55.6% passing accuracy, misplacing most passes. Inman’s only viable contribution was a shot on target. However, even that was too lame to beat the keeper. Replaced at half-time.

Bipin Singh – 5.5

Bipin used his clever movement to make some darting runs into the box, but his final delivery just wasn’t on point. He tried a few crosses after sliding into promising positions, but wasn’t able to setup big chances. Started losing his cool in the second half due to which he was subbed.

Diego Mauricio – 5.5

After his heroics from the last game, Mauricio wasn’t able to maintain the same high level in this. Troubled the defenders with his smart movement and his link-up play was solid, as he boasted a 91.7% passing accuracy. But, he wasn’t able to test the goalkeeper and lacked that ruthlessness in the final third.

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Substitutes

Mehtab Singh – 5.0

Singh came in as an unexpected early substitute to replace the injured Ranawade and didn’t look too comfortable early on. Gave away the penalty with a poor, blatant handball. Put in some decent defensive work after that.

Vinit Rai – 5.5

Rai was brought on half-time to give Apuia more attacking freedom and helped Mumbai to have more possession in the second half, boasting a 79.4% passing accuracy and putting in some sturdy defensive work.

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Vikram Pratap Singh – 6.0

Vikram Pratap used his surprising turn of pace to trouble the Al Jazira players at times and got himself in some decent areas, but his final product was missing. Infuriated the opponents with some off-the-ball drama.

Mandar Rao Dessai – N/R

Mandar wasn’t really able to influence the result, as he failed to deliver any promising crosses after coming on or create anything big in the final third for Mumbai.

Raynier Fernandes – N/R

Raynier was full of energy after coming on, but missed a huge chance to salvage a point for his side towards the end – completely fluffing the opportunity to score into an open net in the 90th minute and wasting a big chance.

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